Episode #263
Are your board trainings effective and have a lasting effect?
In order for your board members to be better fundraisers, it makes sense to have a fundraising trainer come in. Right?
After the training is over, are your board members excited and ready to go fundraise?
Many times one off trainings feel good at the time but don’t really do much. If you’ve experienced the endless cycle of board trainings with nothing to show for it, then watch today’s video.
Julie Edsforth from Edsforth Consulting, and Emily Anthony from Emily Anthony Consulting will share some of what they’ve learned when it comes to training board members. You’ll learn about a process that helps board members learn and has a lasting effect.
If you have any stories or advice around getting board members to become great fundraisers, please share it with everyone else. Leave a comment under the video. Thanks.
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If you have any stories or advice around getting board members to become great fundraisers, please share it with everyone else. Leave a comment. Thanks. 🙂
One way to get board members to take an incremental step toward involvement in the fundraising process is to get them to make thank you calls to donors. When they thank a donor and hear how appreciative the donor is and how good the donor feels about supporting the organization, it helps them see that providing support is a positive experience for the donor.
Debbie Joyner, CFRE
Not so helpful – no specific ideas . . .
Julie and Emily so clearly and concisely describe the complexities of what a board needs to become successful at fundraising.
Telling compelling stories to the board about what the money they raise will make happen in the world and their role in the exciting change can make a big difference, sometimes more than technical “how to’s” about fundraising.
Also, as Emily and Julie said, focusing first on the specific change the organization is trying to make and recognizing that fundraising is one way to make it happen is really important. Fundraising isn’t the end goal, the mission is. Board members often don’t like fundraising, but if they understand that fundraising is a necessary step to achieve the mission that they’re passionate about, they’re more willing to break out of their comfort zone.
I realize I’m late to the party but wanted to add a comment anyway.
I agree with Emily and Janet that It is hard work to change the culture of a board that is not currently engaged in fundraising as much as needed.
To improve the fundraising culture of a NPO board we need expect it to take a few years and to start with the way we recruit board members. Consider recruiting only those who already support your mission financially, who already offer their expertise and show interest before being asked to serve on the board. I would encourage boards to develop a list of the skills and expertise, and ethnic and gender diversity they want on their boards and then work to fill those basic defined elements with people who have given in the past to your organization. If they don’t support your organization financially, how much do they care and how hard will they work? Their generosity uncovers their passion for the mission.
Also, If our boards use board member contracts that are clear about the organization’s expectation of the members, including that they will give first and then ask others to join them, then no one is surprised when the campaigns begin. Following up with a board member scorecard at the bottom of each board meeting agenda will keep good members motivated. Friendly accountability is very healthy.
I am hoping for your every success!
Talk about being late to the party! I’m just now checking in on my videos after a very busy season. The comments here are just as inspiring (if not more so) than the actual video. Thank you all for such great ideas!
I agree about the phone calls. I’ve used that successfully either in a “phone-a-thon” format or asking board members to make calls as gifts come in throughout the year. Board members are your most important volunteers and champions. Great advice here!